A Journey from Bitterness to Truth (Matilda and Yvan) novel Chapter 399

After Keaton laid out his analysis, Yvan was left to stew in silence, a silence that stretched so long into the next day that Carl, when he couldn't find him, pushed open the door to his apartment only to be greeted by a sea of cigarette butts and empty soda cans. There sat Yvan, stiff as a statue, with the glow of a cigarette’s dying ember between his fingers. Carl frowned and called out, “Mr. Boyd…”

It took a moment for Yvan to snap back to reality, his voice hoarse as he spotted his assistant at the door, “You’re here?”

“We’ve got a session with Ms. Thompson tonight…”

Stepping forward, Carl began to tidy up, collecting the cans, “We should get going.”

Yvan remained silent, slowly rising like someone decades older, snuffing out his cigarette before making a call. Twenty minutes later, the cleaner arrived, immediately pinching her nose, “Good Lord, how many packs did you go through?”

It took a while before Yvan responded in a low tone, “Thanks for coming.”

Carl couldn’t help but think that ever since Matilda fell ill, Yvan had changed.

After freshening up and with the living room now spotless and sprayed with air freshener multiple times, the apartment finally seemed to breathe life again. Walking in earlier had felt like stepping into a coffin.

Ditching his usual sharp attire for a much younger look, Yvan slipped on a hoodie and a bomber jacket, rolled up the sleeves, and said to Carl, “Let’s head out.”

Carl gave Yvan a once-over before leading the way. On the road, Yvan inquired, “Who’s handling Matilda’s counseling today?”

“Dr. Trent.”

Carl sighed, “We’ve got the best of Sea City on it, but counseling is just part of it. It’s really up to Matilda to find her way through this.”